How are negative sentences formed in French?

Negative sentences in French grammar are formed using the following structure:

Subject + ne + verb + pas:

Place "ne" before the conjugated verb and "pas" after it to create a negative statement.

Example: Je ne parle pas français. (I don't speak French).

 

Subject + ne + verb + jamais:

Use "jamais" (never) instead of "pas" to express "never" in negative sentences.

Example: Il ne mange jamais de viande. (He never eats meat).

 

Subject + ne + verb + plus:

Use "plus" (no longer, not anymore) instead of "pas" to express negation of something that was previously done.

Example: Elle ne danse plus. (She doesn't dance anymore).

 

Subject + ne + verb + rien:

Use "rien" (nothing) instead of "pas" to express "nothing" in negative sentences.

Example: Je ne comprends rien. (I understand nothing).

 

Subject + ne + verb + personne:

Use "personne" (nobody) instead of "pas" to express "nobody" or "no one" in negative sentences.

Example: Il ne voit personne. (He sees nobody).

 

Subject + ne + verb + aucun(e):

Use "aucun(e)" (none, not any) instead of "pas" to express negation of a specific noun.

Example: Je ne vois aucune solution. (I see no solution).

 

These are the main ways to form negative sentences in French, depending on the context and what is being negated.

Published at 2024/02/23